Education: PhD, EdD

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, which houses the School of Teacher Education and Leadership, ranks in the top 2% of all graduate colleges of education. The college was also ranked third in the nation in total research dollars received, according to "America's Best Graduate Schools" U.S. News & World Report.

The School of Teacher Education and Leadership administers an interdepartmental program leading to a doctoral degree in education with a required specialization in curriculum and instruction. These degrees are designed for educators who wish to prepare to become curriculum specialists, coordinators, or supervisors in public or private school systems or state departments of public instruction, and for those preparing to work as faculty members at the college or university level, generally in a teacher preparation area.

The PhD prepares candidates for academic careers in institutions that demand research expertise and an understanding of the theoretical foundations of a specific field. The EdD program prepares candidates to serve as curriculum and instruction leaders in public or private educational institutions and to teach in education and education-related programs in colleges and universities. These degrees are also the only distance-delivered doctoral degrees in the state.

Students must choose an area in which to focus their research. These areas are:

The EdD program prepares candidates to serve as curriculum and instruction leaders in public or private educational institutions and to teach in education and education-related programs in colleges and universities.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have a master’s degree and two years of teaching experience. Generally, applicants have master’s degrees in education-related fields, but the department will accept those with degrees in other fields in certain circumstances if applicants have teaching experience.

Admissions Deadlines

The department has the following deadlines:

February 1 for Fall admittance

February 1 of even-numbered years for Fall admittance into the Distance Doctoral program

Financial Assistance

Graduate assistantships, both teaching and research, may be available for full-time graduate students. Qualifying students may receive doctoral and nonresident tuition awards, may be eligible for subsidized health insurance at only a small cost to the student, and receive a nationally competitive stipend.

Professional Organizations, Honor Societies, and Clubs

American Education Research Association: AERA is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results. The broad range of disciplines represented by the membership includes education, psychology, statistics, sociology, history, economics, philosophy, anthropology, and political science.

Labs, Centers, Research

Edith Bowen Laboratory School: EBLS is one of Utah’s charter schools, offering services to more than 300 students grades K-5. The school, in cooperation with Utah State University, trains more than 200 pre-service teachers preparing to become professional educators, as well as supporting several other departments/colleges on campus, including special education, physical education, music, psychology, and business. Because the school is funded through state funds and donations, no tuition is charged to students.

InTech Collegiate High School: InTech Collegiate High School is a public charter high school located on USU’s Innovation Campus. The school focuses on math, science, and engineering and seeks to provide academic opportunities to all students, particularly at-risk and minority students. InTech maintains its student body size below 300, and its average class size below 25.